Norway Escapes Scotland On Missed Opportunities

What a weekend in Hampden Park! Norway played its second match against second seeded Scotland in Group 9 of the FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualifying Round. Although the entire game was scoreless, all 90+ minutes were full of suspense.

John Carew and Steffen Iversen, Norway’s current leading scorers (Both are tied at the top! Imagine the chances of that!), both had advantageous opportunities throughout the game to put Norway on the board. However, neither could deliver a ball to the back of the net. John Carew had the best opportunity, but great defending by Scotland’s Gary Naysmith and Gary Caldwell foiled any chances at that moment. Despite not putting up the points, Carew and Iversen proved Norway as an incredibly potent offense!

Speaking of missed opportunities, Scotland caught Norwegian goal-keeper, Jon Knudsen, with his pants down (Not literally of course!). Gary Naysmith snuck the ball across keeper Knudsen to Chris Iwelumo, a Scottish rookie making his big debut at home, leaving the goal wide open only to have Iwelumo miss the target from only a few meters away. This incredibly lucky turn of events on Norway’s behalf stunned the Scottish home crowd into complete and utter silence! Imagine!

Saturday’s tie puts Norway at a mere 2 points after two games of qualifying. Holland is leading the group with 6 points after 2 wins, but Norway will be able to hold them at only 6 points after the two teams face off Wednesday, October 15th. Scotland, meanwhile, sit at 4 points from 3 games after receiving the 1 point from Saturday’s tie.

Although a Norwegian victory would have been much preferred leading up to Wednesday’s big game, the tie will definitely suffice as Norway proved it’s worth in Group 9.